Students attached to the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) had conducted a Protest campaign in front of the Colombo Fort Railway station this morning (19) demanding the resignation of Acting President Ranil Wikramasinghe from his post .
University Students as well as members of Trade unions and Social activists had participated in this protest .
A group of Protesters representing the Galle Face Protesters had yesterday (18) submitted relevant documents to the Elections Commission for registering a new political party under the name "Public Protesting Citizens "(Jana Aragala Purawasiyo).
Acting President Ranil Wikramasinghe had issued an extra ordinary Gazette notification yesterday (18) declaring a State Of Emergency in the island with immediate effect .
The State of Emergency had been declared in the island in the interests of Public security ,The protection of Public order and the maintenance of Supplies and services essential to the life of the community Acting President has stated .President can declare the State of Emergency in terms of article 40(1)(C) of the constitution by virtue of the power vested in him by the section 2 of the Public Security Ordinance(Chapter 40) as amended by Act No.8 of 1959 ,Law No.6 of 1978 and Act No 28 of 1988 .
The opposition leader and the leader of " Samagi Janablawegaya " Party Sajith Premadasa who is one of the front runners for the post of Executive Presidency had today (19)withdrawn his candidature pledging his support for the candidate MP Dallas Alahapperuma who is running for the presidency representing governing Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna(SLPP) Party ,
The withdrawal of main opposition leader Sajith Premadasa from the President's race at the last moment leaves three candidates to run for the President' s post and the winner will be decided from a secret ballot scheduled to be held in Parliament tomorrow (20).
Parliament is scheduled to meet tomorrow at 10 a.m to elect a new Executive President of Sri Lanka from the three Candidates running for the post , Acting President Ranil Wikramasinghe ,Leader of the leftist Jathika Janabalawegaya Party Anura Kumara Dissanayake and MP Dallas Alahapperuma of Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (SLPP) Party.
After withdrawing his candidature Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has said "For the greater good of my country that I love and the people I cherish I hereby withdraw my candidacy for the post of president .My party and our opposition partners will work hard towards making Dallas Alahapperuma victorious ".
Meanwhile MP's of the Governing Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Party arebeing divided when supporting candidates in tomorrows vote to elect a new president and a section of the Party had pledged their support to Acting President Ranil Wikramasinghe and the other section had pledged their support to MP Dallas Alahapperuma .
Many opposition parties had pledged their support to Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa's candidature however as he had withdrawn from the race .There' s a doubt whom they will cast their votes now .
During the Special Parliament proceedings Conducted yesterday (16) Speaker Mahinda Yapa had read the resignation letter sent by former President Gotabhaya Rajapakshe to the Parliament .
The date for electing a new Executive President of Sri Lanka is being fixed as 20th of July and the nominations for the President's post will be accepted on 19th of July .
Four Candidates including the Acting President Ranil Wikramaisnghe are contesting for the President post it has been reported ,The Candidates who are contesting for the President's post are Acting President Ranil Wikramasinghe ,Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa (Samagi Janabalawegaya Party ) ,Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and MP Dallas Alhapperuma (Podujana Peramauna ).
JVP Leader Anura Kumara Disanayake from Jathika Janabalawegaya Party is also planning to contest for the President's post it has been revealed ,Next President is due to be selected through a secret ballot of the Parliament .
The 22 member Cabinet of the new government which was appointed yesterday (18) had assumed duties in the respective Ministries today (19) i...
